The Los Angeles Lakers have been in a rebuilding phase for what has felt like a lifetime at this point. It has been five years since the team has made the playoffs, something that few expected possible given the franchise’s illustrious history.
However, while the Lakers’ futility has not been enjoyable, it has led to the accumulation of a number of talented young players. Julius Randle, who is currently the longest-tenured Laker, was selected with the seventh overall pick in 2014.
Meaning, he has witnessed the bulk of the rebuild and progress up close, if not driven it.